Method and apparatus for service localization

Abstract

A method comprises building a list of services available from stations associated with a network, wherein the list of services includes an indicator of a location of the station associated with each service.

1 . A method, comprising:
 building a list of services available from stations associated with a network,   wherein the list of services includes an indicator of a location of the station associated with each service.   
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 requesting a list of services from an access point of a network; and   receiving information related to one or more stations associated with the network offering services, the information including an indicator of a location of the station associated with each service.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory unit; and   a processor communicatively connected to the memory unit, said processor being configured to:
 build a list of services available from stations associated with a network, 
 wherein the list of services includes an indicator of a location of the station associated with each service. 
   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the indicator of the location indicates whether the location is fixed or mobile. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein, if the location is fixed, the indicator further includes the location of the station. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein, if the location is mobile, the indicator further includes an area of service of the station. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the indicator includes the location in geolocation coordinates. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the indicator includes the location in civic parameters. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the station is an access point of the network or functions as a soft access point 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory unit; and   a processor communicatively connected to the memory unit, said processor being configured to:
 request a list of services from an access point of a network; and 
 receive information related to one or more stations associated with the network offering services, the information including an indicator of a location of the station associated with each service. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 search for networks offering the list of services prior to requesting the list of services.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving information includes downloading the list of services. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 display the location of the station associated with each service on a map application.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator of the location indicates whether the location is fixed or mobile. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, if the location is fixed, the indicator further includes the location of the station. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, if the location is mobile, the indicator further includes an area of service of the station. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the indicator includes the location in geolocation coordinates. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the indicator includes the location in civic parameters. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the station is an access point of the network or functions as a soft access point.